20 murders around Houston in 2015

By Dylan Baddour

on June 3, 2015 3:50 PM

Houston Police report a 46 percent increase in murders within the city for the first four months of 2015. See some of the crimes and suspects charged during a deadly first half of 2015.

Above: Police found a man’s body, dead from a gunshot wound, on a road in north Houston Saturday night, May 30, authorities said.
The body was found around 7:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of Briarwick at Royal Pine when a neighbor noticed the boy in the road. less

2015: A deadly year in Houston homicides

Houston Police report a 46 percent increase in murders within the city for the first four months of 2015. See some of the crimes and suspects charged during a deadly

Julia Sharee Cormier, 36, told investigators she been drinking with Kevin Mitchell at a Houston apartment on January 25. When she woke up the next morning, she said, she found Mitchell dead in a chair with a small puncture wound in his chest. She was charged with his murder.

Dante Thomas admitted to killing his girlfriend, 24-year-old Linda Vu, at a home in northwest Harris County on January 27. He said he and Vu had gotten into an argument and he had stabbed her to death.

Isaac Tiharihondi, 19, is accused of killing his parents and five-year-old brother in his Houston home on February 1. The bodies of his family were discovered with blunt force trauma to their heads after they didn't show up at a church, where Tiharihondi's father was a priest.

Isaac Tiharihondi, 19, is accused of killing his parents and five-year-old brother in his Houston home on February 1. The bodies of his family were discovered with blunt force trauma to their heads ... more

Sheriff Adrian Garcia looks on as Judith Crane, the daughter of Don and Reda Rentz, speaks during a news conference, Friday, March 20, 2015, in Houston. On Saturday, March 7, 2015, Don and Reda Rentz were discovered murdered in their home in northwest Harris County.

Crane had called neighbors to chack on her elderly parents after not hearing from them for several days. When eventually police were found, they found the couple beaten to death in the home.

Sheriff Adrian Garcia looks on as Judith Crane, the daughter of Don and Reda Rentz, speaks during a news conference, Friday, March 20, 2015, in Houston. On Saturday, March 7, 2015, Don and Reda Rentz ... more

Arva Choice, left, and her mother Earline Wartell, mourn the death of her son, 62-year-old veteran Michael Wartell. He died on March 26 when he was struck by a stray bullet fired by a 16-year-old during an argument at a Fifth Ward washateria.

Arva Choice, left, and her mother Earline Wartell, mourn the death of her son, 62-year-old veteran Michael Wartell. He died on March 26 when he was struck by a stray bullet fired by a 16-year-old during

Brock Thomas (pictured) was murdered in Pasadena on March 30. After a road rage argument, Steven and Jacob Rodriguez followed Thomas home, had a brief fist fight and pledged to return. Later that night the two broke into Thomas' home and shot him.

Brock Thomas (pictured) was murdered in Pasadena on March 30. After a road rage argument, Steven and Jacob Rodriguez followed Thomas home, had a brief fist fight and pledged to return. Later that night

A police officer holds a child whose mother was found dead Thursday morning in an apartment just northeast of downtown Houston. The woman, a mother of five, was found dead in her apartment where severe trauma to her head, neck and torso.

A police officer holds a child whose mother was found dead Thursday morning in an apartment just northeast of downtown Houston. The woman, a mother of five, was found dead in her apartment where severe ... more

April 5 A father and son were shot dead in a southeast... Photo-7760670.110955 - Houston Chronicle

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April 15

When police responded to a report of a shooting at a home in a south central Houston neighborhood on April 15, they found 26-year-old Kenneth Ballinas waiting on the curb. He told them he'd shot his parents while they were in bed.

April 15 When police responded to a report of a... Photo-7825651.110955 - Houston Chronicle

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April 22

Police said Ha Tran, who lives at the complex, pulled into a space in the parking at her apartment on Beechnut on April 22 and was getting out of her minivan when a man rushed at her. He demanded her money and cellular phone. Then he shot her.

Harris County sheriff's deputies pursued a suspected stolen vehicle, operated by Lanice Tobias (pictured), 21, for about four miles on the night of April 23. Tobias ran a red light and struck the vehicle of Yolanda Juarez, killing her. He was charged with murder.

Andrew Kizer, 23, was charged with shooting and killing a 20-year-old man during an attempted robbery of a Katy-area apartment. Authorities said Kizer and an accomplice barged into an apartment and ordered all occupants to lie on the floor. When two men in the apartment tried to fight Kizer, he shot one and fled.

On April 29, Cavalas Prater, 34, followed Su-Jung Teng into her garage and assaulted her. Teng's husband heard screams and rushed to the scene, but could not overpower Prater, who then dragged Teng into the bathroom, locked the door and stabbed her with scissors.

On April 29, Cavalas Prater, 34, followed Su-Jung Teng into her garage and assaulted her. Teng's husband heard screams and rushed to the scene, but could not overpower Prater, who then dragged Teng into

On May 7, the owner of a Midtown Cadillac dealership was shot dead outside his Montrose area home. Joe Stewart had been targeted weeks before when armed attackers targeted him outside his home, but he fled. Police suspect the same attackers in both incidents.

On May 7, the owner of a Midtown Cadillac dealership was shot dead outside his Montrose area home. Joe Stewart had been targeted weeks before when armed attackers targeted him outside his home, but he ... more

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

May 7 On May 7, the owner of a Midtown Cadillac dealership... Photo-7946253.110955 - Houston Chronicle

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May 15

On May 15, 21-year-old Danny Quoc Nguyen and his roommate, Shawn Nguyen, 24, had an argument that ended with Danny fatally shooting Shawn, who died at the scene.